Indicator apparatus for line casting machines



Oct. 5, 1965 F. KRAUSE ETAL 3,209,901

INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 9, 1962 10Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS Fried/7d (dr ma Lao/ SIQJ'QZ Oct. 5, 1965 F.KRAUSE ETAL INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES l0Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1962 INVENTORS 2144 J. may

Oct. 5, 1965 F. KRAUSE ETAL INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTINGMACHINES l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 9, 1962 INVENTORS Fh'edr/bl. MrwaOct. 5, 1965 F. KRAUSE ETAL 3,209,901

INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 9, 1962 10Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Friaslriak Mr-QML Lea/ J'farck 1965 F. KRAUSEETAL 3,

INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 9, 1962 10Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 5, 1965 F. KRAUSE ETAL 3,209,901

INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed Nov. 9, 1962 10Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig.6 27 23 IN VENTO R 5 F'VeAZr/ZL Kama A a/1 fiamm Oct.5, 1965 F. KRAUSE ETAL Filed Nov. 9, 1962 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.7

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INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES File V- 1962 10Sheets-Sheet 8 Fig.8 39

INVENTOR Fr'hJnLA, Mraufi Leon M G C 7 J: (r/Ker Oct. 5, 1965 F. KRAUSEETAL INDICATOR APPARATUS FOR LINE CASTING MACHINES Filed NOV. 9, 1962 10Sheets-Sheet 9 3,299,901 llNDlCATOR AilPARATlUS FOR LllNE CASTlNGMACHINES Friedrich Krause, (Bherursel, Taunus, and Leon Starck,Frankfurt am Main, Fechenheim, Germany, assignors to Firma LinotypeG.m.b.H., Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed Nov. 9, 1962, Ser. No.236,561 Claims priority, application Germany, Nov. 15, 1961,

,481 18 Claims. (Cl. 199-18) The present invention relates to linecasting machines, and more particularly to an indicator apparatus for aline casting machine which is associated with the perforator by which atape is provided with coded information representing selected matricesand space bands.

Indicating apparatus serving this purpose is known, and includes threepointers cooperating with a scale. Two pointers indicate the minimum andmaximum wedge thicknesses of the composed space bands, and a thirdpointer indicates the total of the matrix thicknesses of the alreadyassembled matrices. It is diflicult to observe the three movingpointers, and to conclude from their relative positions the space stillavailable in the line, and the moment in which justification ispossible, or desirable.

The several pointers are incapable of producing in the mind of theoperator an image of the partly composed line, and of the space stillavailable for composing and justification, and consequently theobservation of indicator apparatus according to the prior art requiresparticular concentration and attention of the operator who is involvedwith the important task of composing the line.

It is one object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantagesof known indicator apparatus for composing operations related to linecasting machines, and to provide an indicator apparatus for this purposewhich is of simple construction, and clearly and reliably indicates theconditions prevailing during the composition of a line.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indi cating apparatusof such appearance that the indication thereof can be easily associatedwith a partly or fully composed line.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an indicatingapparatus which clearly indicates when the composed space bands permitthe justification of a line.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator apparatuswhich indicates how many additional matrices and space bands can beadded in a line after the already composed matrices and space bandspermit the justifiction of the line.

Another object of the invention is to provide an indicator means whichby its position represents the matrix thicknesses and minimum wedgethicknesses in the composed part of a line.

Another object of the invention is to move such an indicator means alonga stationary member which has the shape of a completed line, so that theposition of the indicator means indicates the minimum length of thecomposed part of the line so that the appearance of the indicatorapparatus suggests to the operator the appearance of a progressivelycomposed line.

With these objects in view, one embodiment of the invention comprises astationary member having first and second fixed points spacedcorresponding to the length of a line to be cast in a line castingmachine, first indicator means movable from the first point toward thesecond point, and second indicator means movable from the second pointtoward the first point.

The first indicator means is driven by drive means which moves analog tothe total of the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands which are States Patent successively selected during thecomposing of the line whose matrices and space bands may be representedby coded perforations of a tape, or directly assembly in the linecasting machine. Consequently, the distance of the first indicator meansfrom the first point represents the matrix thicknesses and the minimumwedge thicknesses, and thereby the length of the assembled part of theline. The distance between the first indicator means and the secondpoint indicates the available space in the line.

The second indicator means is driven by second drive means which moveanalog to the total spaceband drive which is the difference between themaximum and minimum wedge thicknesses of the selected and assembledspace bands. Consequently, the distance between the second indicatormeans and the second point indicates the space which can be filled byjustification.

As long as the first and second indicating means move toward each other,the distance between the same is a measure of the space which has yet tobe filled in the line by matrices and space bands to obtain ajustifiable line. When the first and second indicator means coincide,the line can be justified by an operation of the space bands, themaximum wedge thicknesses of the space bands being efl'ective. Duringthe following movement of the first and second indicating means awayfrom each other, the line can be justified at any time before the firstindicating means reaches the second point representing the end of theline.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the stationary member is acasing, which is advantageously mounted in or on the perforator housingof the perforator which produces a program tape for the line castingmachine. The housing has an elongated, preferably rectangular window.The window is shaped in such a manner and has such length, as torepresent the space available for a composed line. The indicator meansincludes cover elements of corresponding elongated shape. The coverelement of the first indicator means progressively covers a part of thewindow corresponding to the length of the composed part of the line,while the uncovered part of the window corresponds to the spaceavailable for further matrices and space bands. The cover element of thesecond indicator means moves in opposite direction in a second part ofthe window, and the uncovered portion of the second part of the windowrepresents the space band drive of the composed space bands so thatequal lengths of the two uncovered portions of the window indicate themoment in which justification can be obtained by expansion of the spacebands.

A scale provided with typographical units extends in the first part ofthe window, so that the first cover element indicates on the scale howmany typographical units are still available for the composing of theline. Furthermore, the distance between the first and second coverelements can also be read on the scale, and indicates the number oftypographical units of the matrices and space bands which still have tobe composed to obtain a justifiable line.

In one embodiment of the invention, the cover elements are part offlexible bands, and the cover elements may be dark areas on the flexibleband applied by a photographic process.

The scale member may be either stationary, or part of a flexible band towhich the scale is apppied by photographic process.

Another embodiment uses rigid plates as cover elements, and in thisembodiment the scale is stationary.

A third embodiment of the invention uses a flexible cover element whichis wound up on a take-up reel, and wound oil a let-off reel. A motordrives the take-up reel against the action of spring means which act onthe let-off reel.

istic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appendedclaims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction andits method of operation, together with additional objects and advantagesthereof, will be best understood from the following description ofspecific embodiments when read in connection with the accompany drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the perforator arrangement of a typesetting machine in combination with an indicator apparatus according tothe invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective front view of a perforator provided with theindicator apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary front view of an indicator apparatus accordingto a first embodiment of the invention, the front wall of the casingbeing omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken on line V-V in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view of an indicator apparatus accordingto a second embodiment of the invention, the front wall of the casingbeing omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary front view illustrating a third embodiment ofthe invention, the front wall of the casing being omitted for the sakeof clarity;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken on line XX in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the circuit of control apparatus bywhich the position of the indicator means is controlled.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, theperforator key board 1, and the control key board 2, also shown in FIG.2, control the coding device 3 of the perforator 4 by which a tape 5 isprovided with coded perforations composed of perforations located in sixdifferent positions of successive lines.

The key board 1 has the keys representing matrices and space bands, andadditional keys related to other functions, and the control key board 2has the main switch, an addition-subtraction switch, switches forconnecting different magazines, and other occasionally used switheswhose functions are not related to the objects of the invention.

It is known to those skilled in the art that the perforated tape 5contains all the information necessary for composing a line, and is usedfor controlling the martix and space band selecting operations of a linecasting machine.

The key boards 1 and 2 are also connected to a selector device 6 bywhich counter registers 7 can be selected. Counter registers 7 may bemultiple plugging units having input terminals connected to the inputswitches of the key board 1 and output terminals which representpredetermined selected matrix thicknesses. Other program carriers may beused instead of the registers 7, for example magnetic record carriers,punched cards or punched tape.

The signals created at the output terminals of the registers 7 andrepresenting matrix thicknesses in numerical values are supplied to acoding device 8 where they are coded and supplied through anaddition-substraction switching device 9 to a totalizer 10.

The main key board 1 is also connected to a storage device 14 containinginformation regarding the space bands and connected to a register 15 inwhich numerical values related to the thickness of the space bands arecounted. The output of the device 15 is connected through theaddition-subtraction switching device 9 with the totalizer 10 and with asecond totalizer I6.

Totalizer 10 is connected to the control apparatus 11, and totalizer 16is connected to the control apparatus 17 which are of correspondingconstruction, control apparatus 11 being illustrated in FIG. 11.

Control apparatus 11 controls a drive motor 12, and control apparatus 17controls a drive motor 13. Motors 12 and 18 drive indicator means 13 and19, and information regarding the position of the indicator means 1.3and 19 is fed back to the control apparatus ill and 1'7. The indicatormeans 13 and 19 assume positions representing the total of thetotalizers It and 16.

When a key of key board 1 representing a space band, or a matrixrepresenting a character or symbol, is actuated, a corresponding codedperforation is produced in tape 5 which can be used for controlling theassembly of matrices and space bands in the line casting machine.

At the same time, the registers 7 and 15 effect in totalizer 10 theaddition of numerical values representing the thicknesses of matricesselected by operation of keys of the key board 1, and the minimum wedgethicknesses of space bands selected by operation of a corresponding keyof the key board 1.

The totalizer 16 is controlled only by the key representing the spacebands, and is supplied with numerical information representing thespaceband drive of space bands selected by operation of a key in keyboard ll. Consequently, whenever a key of key board 1 associated withspace bands is actuated, a numerical value representing the minimumwedge thickness of a space band is entered into totalizer 10, and anumerical value representing the spaceband drive of the space band isentered in totalizer 16.

It is well known in the typographical art that the amount of possiblejustification in any assembled line of matrices is determined by thenumber of space bands contained in it. A space band comprises amatrix-shaped portion in which is slidably carried a wedge portion. Theexpansibility or so called drive of the space band is determined by thedifference between the thin end and the thick end of the wedge portion.The difference between the total of the thicknesses of the matrices inan assembled line and the predetermined length of the line must be equalto or less than the expansibility of the assembled space bands whichcorresponds to the difference between the total of all minimum wedgethicknesses and the total of all maximum wedge thicknesses of the spacebands. When the wedge portions of assembled space bands, or of at leastone space band, are slidably moved along the matrix-shaped portion ofthe space band which is in alignment with the rest of the assembledmatrices, it will spread the matrices to fill the available spacebetween the last matrix and the limiting gauge representing the lengthof the line. The indicator means 13 is driven by motor 12 to indicatethe total of the thicknesses of the assembled matrices and of theminimum Wedge thicknesses of the assembled space bands. The indicatormeans 19 moves in the opposite direction and indicates the expansibilityor drive of the assembled space bands. Consequently, as soon as in aline the free available space, indicated by the white portion of member13 is shorter than the expansibility of the space bands indicated by thewhite portion of indicator means 19, the line can be justified.

'Referring now to FIG. 2, the front wall 26 of a perforator housing 21has a rectangular window 23 which has an upper rectangular part 230, anda lower rectangular part 23b. A shield is arranged behind the window,and has an edge 23d defining a fixed point at one end of the upper partof the window 23, and an elongated part 23e extending through a majorportion of the lower rectangular part of the window 23. Another shield27' is arranged at the other end of the window, and forms a referenceedge 27 defining a fixed point at the other end of the window 23.Consequently, the open area of the window 23 is bounded by the edges23d, 27, by the upper longitudinal edge of the window, by the edges ofthe shield portion 23:: and by the lower edge of the window extendingbetween shield portion 23a and the reference edge 27.

A scale member 24 is located adjacent the reference edge 27 in the upperpart 23a of window 23, and has a scale indicating typographical units.The indicator means 13 is constructed as a rectangular cover elementlocated in the upper rectangular part of the window, and beingpreferably of dark color in contrast to the scale member 24. The secondindicator means 19 is constructed as a dark cover element which moves tothe left in FIG. 2, so that its trailing edge 28 moves away from thereference edge 27.

As explained with reference to FIG. 1 the cover element 13 covers aportion of the upper part of the window whose length 25 corresponds tothe length of the assembled portion of a line for the minimumthicknesses of the space bands. This distance between the points oredges 23d and 27 represents the length of a line. Consequently, thedistance 26 between the leading edge 31 of cover element 13 and thereference edge 27 represents the space still available in the line, sothat the upper portion of window 23 represents a line during thecomposing operation in a manner which can be understood and evaluated ata glance by the operator whereby the type setting operation issubstantially facilitated As explained with reference to FIG. 1, thecover element 19 moves to the left in FIG. 2 so that the distance 30between its trailing edge and the reference edge 27 represents thespaceband drive of the space bands.

As soon as leading edge 31 coincides with the trailing edge 28, the linecan be justified since expansion of the assembled space bands will addto the length 25 the length 30 so that the total corresponds to theentire length of the line between edges 23d and 27. When the trailingedge 23 has moved to the left beyond the point of coincidence with theleading edge 31, adjustment of the line is still possible, but it willnot be necessary to fully expand the assembled space bands.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, scale 24 indicates between theleading edge 31 and the trailing edge 28 the number of typographicalunits which have to be provided by additionally assembled matrices andspace bands before the line can be justified. Scale member 24 indicatesbetween edges 31 and 24 the maximum number of typographical unitscorresponding to which matrices and space bands can still be assembledin the line.

From the above description of the diagram of FIG. 1, it will beunderstood that every time a character symbol or space band is selectedby operation of the key board 1, indicator means .13 will move stepwiseto the right in accordance with the number of typographical unitsrepresented by the respective selected matrix or the minimum wedgethickness of a space band, and that indicator means 28 will movestepwise to the left corresponding to the typographical units of thespaceband drive or expansibility of a space band.

In the position illustrated in FIG. 2, the expansibility of the spacebands is about five picas about four picas must be filled withadditional matrices and space hands before the line can be justified,and no more than about nine picas can be filled with additional matricesand space bands before the end of the line is reached.

While the line can be justified upon coincidence of edges 31 and 28, abetter typographical appearance is obtained by justifying the line whenedges 31 and 28 move in opposite direction after coincidence, and whenthe distance 26 is shorter than illustrated in FIG. 2.

A lamp 33, see FIG. 3, is provided at the right end of window 23, and isenergized when the leading edge 31 reaches a predetermined distance fromthe reference edge 27, so that the operator is warned of the approachingend of the line which necessitates the observation of the movement ofthe leading edge 31 relative to the edge 28 and to the reference edge27.

The indicator window 23 is arranged directly below the holder 22 for thetext to be printed, and above the key board 1 so that the operator whilereading the text notices the progression of the assembled line Withoutbeing required to pay any special attention to it until the lamp 33lights up.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a first embodiment of the invention. Thecover element 13, and the scale member 24 are portions of an endlessflexible band 35 which has perforated edges 36. The endless band 35 isguided over sprocket rollers 38, 39, 4t) and d1 of which roller 38 rsdriven through a worm gear transmission 37 from the drive motor 12. Thecover element 13 and the scale 24 may be printed on the flexible band35, or band 35 may be a transparent film material on which dark area ofthe cover element 13, and scale 24a are applied by a photo graphicprocess.

Underneath band 35, and in the region of the lower part of window 23,another endless band 42 is arranged which runs over four sprocketrollers 44, 4,5, 46 and d7, of which roller 44 is driven through a wormgear transmission d3 from the direct current motor 11.8. The shafts ofthe rollers which support the endless band are mounted in the frameportion 34- of the perforator housing.

Direct current motors 12 and 18 drive bands 35 and 42 in oppositedirections so that the visible portion of band 35 moves to the right,and the visible portion of band 42 moves to the left as viewed in FIGS.2 and 3. The cover element 19 of band 42 may be printed orphotographically applied, and is of a contrasting color with respect tothe other portions of band 42. Shield portion 23s which covers thegreater part of cover element 19 in the lower portion of the window, hasa narrow shield portion 23 extending in the center region of the windowbetween the upper and lower parts thereof, and covering the perforatedportions of bands 35 and 34. Other shield portions 23g and 2311 coverthe upper and lower perforated portions of bands 35 and 42.

As explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the leading edge 31 ofcover portion 13 represents the total of the thicknesses of theassembled matrices and of the minimum wedge thicknesses of the assembledspacebands.

FIG. 11 illustrates the control device 11 by which the desired positionof cover element 13 is assured. An analog-digital converter 61 has a setof contact tracks 62 to 67 consisting of contacts 70 arranged inaccordance with the binary system. The contacts 7t? of each contacttrack are connected by conductors 71. Parallel to the contact tracks 63to 67 extends a continuous contact 68. All contact tracks are engaged byslide brushes 73 secured to an arm 74 which is connected to band 35 formovement therewith. A source of a comparison voltage V is connected tothe slide contact 68, and each of the contact tracks 62 to 67 isconnected by a pair of comparison resistors 75, 76 to one of six stages77 to 82 of the binary tot'alizer 16', see also FIG. 1.

Relays 84, 85 are connected through opposing diodes 86, 87 to theconnecting points of the pairs of resistors 75, 76, and control relaycontacts 88 and 819, respectively which can be connected to a positiveor negative source of voltage, respectively, to supply the same todirect current motor 12 by which the endless band. 35 is driven. Theother terminal of motor 12 is connected to ground.

During the operation of the apparatus, motor 12 is connected to thepositive voltage to drive the endless band 35 so that the arm '74 withbrushes 7?: moves along the contact tracks 62 to 57. Corresponding tothe position of arm 74, and to the position of the indicator means 13, avoltage applied to terminal 68a of slide cont-act 68 is applied throughbrushes 73 and contact 70 of the contact tracks 62 to 67 to one orseveral of the resistors 76. Consequently, analog to the position of theindicator means 13, binary signals are produced at the output of thecontact tracks 62 to 67 which are compared through the pairs ofcomparison resistors 75, 76 with the voltage signals at the outputs ofthe stages 77 to 82 of the binary adder iii, and which correspond to thetotal of numerical values representing the matrix thicknesses and theminimum wedge thicknesses of assembled space hands.

When the output signals of the analog-digital converter 61 no longercorrespond to the signals at the output of the binary adder 1G, apositive or negative voltage is applied by relay 84 or by relay 85 tothe motor 12 so that the same rotates in one or the other direction ofrotation until the signals balance at the comparison resistors 7S and 76whereupon the motor is disconnected from the voltage and band 35 withthe indicator means 13 stops until by selection of another matrix orspaceband the total of the binary adder lid is changed so that one ofthe relays is energized and effects rotation of motor 12 and movement ofband 35 with indicator means 13 to the right as viewed in FIG. 2.

The arrangement of the control apparatus 17 corresponds to the circuitillustrated in FIG. 11, but it will be understood that instead of thebinary adder 10, the binary adder 16 is used which forms the total ofthe space hand drive of the spacebands, and that instead of motor 112,motor 18 is controlled to move the band 42 with the indicating coverportion 19.

The second embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 hascover elements in the form of rectangular plates 48 and 49 provided withperforations 36 along the edges thereof, so that they can be transportedby drive sprockets 38' and 44- which are respectively driven throughworm gear transmissions 37 and 43' from motors 12 and 18. Straight guidemeans, not shown, are secured to the casing along the window to guidethe rectangular cover plates 48 and 49, While it is possible to extendthe cover plates by a scale portion similar to the arrangement of FIG.3, in the embodiment of FIG. 6, the scale member 50 is fixedly securedto the frame portion 34 and projects behind the window 23 from thereference edge 27 toward the other end of the window, so that coverplate 48 passes in front of the scale member when moving to the right asviewed in FIG. 6 toward the reference edge 27. Accordingly, thegraduated scale on scale member indicates typographical units startingwith zero at the reference edge 27 and being progressively numberedtoward the cover plate 48. When the cover plate is displaced, theleading edge thereof indicates the number of typographical units stillavailable in the line for matrices and space bands.

As in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the lamp 33 is energized when theleading edge of cover plate 4-8 reaches a predetermined position spaceda selected number of typographical units from the reference edge 27which indicates the end of the line. In this manner, the operator isWarned to observe the progress of the leading edge of plate member 48 ascompared with the movement of the trailing edge of plate member 49 whichresponds to the total of the maximum wedge thicknesses of the assembledspace bands.

In the third embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, elongatedflexible members 35 and 42 include elongated flexible cover portions 13and 19, and pairs of flexible cords 56, 57, 58, 59 also extending alongthe edges of portions 13 and 19 to reinforce the same. The flexiblemember 35 is wound on a let-off roller 54 which is loaded by spring 52.A take-up roller 39' is driven through a worm gear transmission 37 bymotor 12 to wind up the flexible member 35 so that the cover portion 13moves in accordance with the total of the as- .sernbled matrices andminimum wedge thicknesses of the assembled space bands. A stationaryscale member 50 is secured to the casing and is progressively numberedfrom the reference edge 27 so that the leading edge of the cover portion13 indicates the number of typographical units still available in theline.

The flexible member 42 is wound on a let-off roller 55 which is loadedby a spring 53, and is wound up on a take-up roller 44 which is driventhrough the worm gear transmission 43 by motor 18. Guide rollers 49',40, 45' and 46' guide the flexible members between the let-off andtake-up rollers.

The motors 12 and 18 turn to positions analog to the totals arrived atin the totalizers lid and 16.

As is clearly apparent from the drawings, and particularly from FIG. 2,the upper rectangular portion of window 23 has an elongated narrow shapecorresponding to the shape of the space available for a line, and thecover element 13 represents the partly assembled line consisting ofmatrices and unexpanded space bands and has a corresponding shape.Consequently, it is easy for the operator to associate the indicationwith the actual conditions so that the attention of the operator can beconcentrated on the task of selecting the matrices in accordance withthe text.

The above described embodiments of the invention may be modified. Forexample, cover elements corresponding to cover elements 13 and .19 maybe superimposed in a narrower window, and at least one of the coverelements made transparent so that the observation of the movements ofthe indicating edge of the respective other cover element is possible.Two flexible bands may be superimposed of which the forwardly locatedband has a darker but transparent cover portion and a lighter fullytransparent portion which may be either the scale portion 124-, or theportion representing the spaceband drive of the space bands adjacentedge 27.

The indicator apparatus of the invention may be constructed as acomplete unit which can be built into the perforator casing behind aremovable cover.

According to another construction, the indicator apparatus has its owncasing, which can be mounted on the housing of the per-forator. Thisarrangement permits the independent manufacture of the indicatorapparatus, and the attachment of the indicator apparatus to existentperforators.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofperforator arrangements differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in anindicator apparatus simulating the assembled portion of a line and thespace available for a line during operation of the perforator of a linecasting machine, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown,since various modifications and structural changes may be made withoutdeparting in any Way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist ofthe present invention that others can by applying current knowledgereadily adapt it for various applications without omitting featuresthat, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essentialcharac teristics of the generic or specific aspects of this inventionand, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to becomprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,an indicator apparatus comprising a sta tionary member formed with anelongated straight window having at the ends thereof first and secondreference edges, said reference edges being spaced a distancecorresponding to the length of a justified line of matrices and spacebands, said window having a narrow rectangular shape corresponding tothe shape of the space available for said justified line, means fortotalizing the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands successively selected during the composing of a line; drivemeans moving analog to the total found by said totalizing means; and acover element driven by said drive means along said window in thereading direction from the first reference edge toward the secondreference edge so that said cover element progressively covers saidwindow while the length of the covered portion of the window from saidfirst reference edge to the leading edge of said cover elementrepresents the total of the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedgethicknesses of said space bands and thereby the minimum length of thecomposed portion of a line, while the length of the uncovered portion ofsaid window between said leading edge and said second reference edgerepresents the space still available in the line for additional matricesand space bands, and for justification.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim ll including an illuminating lampfor illuminating said uncovered portion of said window; and means forenergizing said lamp when said leading edge of said cover element isspaced a selected distance from said reference edge whereby the operatoris warned of the approaching end of the line.

3. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,a stationary member formed with an elongated window having first andsecond ends spaced a distance corresponding to the length of a justifiedline of matrices and space bands, said window having a narrowrectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the space available forsaid justified line, said second end forming a reference edge; firstindicator means including a first cover element located in said windowand being movable toward said second end for progressively covering saidwindow so that its leading edge moves toward said reference edge forrepresenting by the covered portion of said window between said leadingedge and said first end the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedgethicknesses of space bands successively selected during the composing ofthe line and thereby the minimum length of the composed portion of aline, and for representing by the uncovered portion of said windowbetween said leading edge and said reference edge the available space insaid line; and second indicator means including a second cover elementlocated in said window and being movable in a direction opposite to themovement of said first indicator means for progressively uncovering saidwindow so that its trailing edge moves away from said reference edge forrepresenting by the thus uncovered portion of said window between saidtrailing edge and said reference edge the expansibility of said selectedspace bands and the space which can be filled by justification wherebythe distance between said leading edge of said first cover element andthe trailing edge of said second cover element while moving toward eachother is a measure of the space to be filled in the line by matrices andspace bands, and whereby coincidence of said leading and trailing edgesand following movement of said leading edge away from said trailing edgeindicates a justifiable line until said leading edge coincides with saidreference' edge.

4. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,a stationary member formed with an elongated straight window havingfirst and second ends spaced a distance corresponding to the length of ajustified line of matrices and space bands, said window having a narrowrectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the space available forsaid justified line, said second end forming a reference edge; firstindicator means includ ing a first rectangular cover element located ina first rectangular part of said window and being movable toward saidsecond end for progressively covering said first part so that itsleading edge moves toward said reference edge for representing by thecovered portion of said first part between said leading edge and saidfirst end the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands successively selected during the composing of the line andthereby the minimum length of the composed portion of a line, and forrepresenting by the uncovered portion of said first part of said windowbetween said leading edge and said reference edge the available space insaid line; and second indicator means including a second rectangularcover element located in a second rectangular part of said windowextending parallel to and adjacent said first rectangular part, saidsecond rectangular cover element being movable in a direction oppositeto the movement of said first indicator means for progressivelyuncovering said second part so that its trailing edge moves away fromsaid reference edge for representing by the uncovered portion of saidsecond part of said window between said trailing edge and said referenceedge the space hand drive of said selected space bands and the spacewhich can be filled by justification whereby the distance between saidleading edge of said first cover element and the trailing edge of saidsecond cover element while moving toward each other is a measure of thespace to be filled in the line by matrices and space bands, and wherebycoincidence of said leading and trailing edges and following movement ofsaid leading edge into the region of said uncovered portion of saidsecond part of said window between said trailing edge and said referenceedge indicates a justifiable line.

5. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,an indicator apparatus comprising a stationary member formed with anelongated. straight win dow having at the ends thereof first and secondreference edges, said reference edges being spaced a distancecorresponding to the length of a justified line of matrices and spacebands, said window having a narrow rectangular shape corresponding tothe shape of the space available for said justified line, means fortotalizing the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands successively selected during the composing of a line; drivemeans moving analog to the total found by said totalizing means; a coverelement driven by said drive means along said window in the readingdirection from the first reference edge toward the second reference edgeso that said cover element progressively covers said window While thelength of the covered portion of the window from said first referenceedge to the leading edge of said cover element represents the total ofthe matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of said spacebands and thereby the minimum length of the composed portion of a line,while the length of the uncovered portion of said window between saidleading edge and said second reference edge represents the space stillavailable in the line for additional matrices and space bands, and forjustification; and a scale member visible only between said secondreference edge and said cover element and having a scale indicatingtyprographical units so that the available space is indicated intypographical units.

5. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,a stationary member formed with an elongated window having first andsecond ends spaced a distance corresponding to the length of a justifiedline of matrices and space bands, said Window having a narrowrectangular shape corresponding to the shape of the space available forsaid justified line, said second end forming a reference edge; firstindicator means including a first cover element located in a first partof said window and being movable toward said second end forprogressively covering said first part so that its leading edge movestoward said reference edge for representing by the covered portion ofsaid first part between said leading edge and said first end the matrixthicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of space bandssuccessively selected during the composing of the line and thereby theminimum length of the composed portion of a line, and for representingby the uncovered portion of said first part of said window between saidleading edge and said reference edge the available space in said line,said first indicator means including a scale member having a scaleindicating typographical units, and being secured to said first coverelement for movement with the same in said first part of said window andextending in said uncovered portion of llll said first part of saidwindow from said leading edge to said reference edge and being visibleonly in said uncovered portion, said scale being progressively numberedaway from said leading edge so that said reference edge indicates onsaid scale the units of the available space in the line; and secondindicator means including a second cover element located in a secondpart of said window and being movable in a direction opposite to themovement of said first indicator means for progressively uncovering saidsecond part so that its trail edge moves away from said reference edgefor representing by the uncovered portion of said second part of saidwindow between said trailing edge and said reference edge the space banddrive of said selected space bands and the space which can be filled byjustification whereby the distance between said leading edge of saidfirst cover eiement and the trailing edge of said second cover elementwhile moving toward each other is a measure of the space to be filled inthe line by matrices and space bands, and whereby coincidence of saidleading and trailing edges and following movement of said leading edgeinto the region of said uncovered portion of said second part of saidwindow between said trailing edge and said reference edge indicates ajustifiable line until said leading edge coincides with said referenceedge.

'7. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,a stationary member formed with an elongated window having first andsecond ends spaced a distance corresponding to the length a justifiedline of matrires and space bands, said window having a narrowrectangular shape corresopnding to the shape of the space available forsaid justified line, said second end forming a reference edge; firstindicator means including a first dark cover element located in a firstpart of said window and being movable toward said second end forprogressively covering said first part so that its leading edge movestoward said reference edge for representing by the cover portion of saidfirst part between said leading edge and said first end the matrixthicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of space bandssuccessively selected during the composing of the line and thereby theminimum length of the composed portion of a line, and for representingby the uncovered portion of said first of said window between saidleading edge and said reference edge the available space in said line,said first indicator means including a light-colored scale membersecured to said cover element and extending in said uncovered portionfrom said leading edge at least to said reference edge, said scale beingprogressively numbered from said leading edge so that said referenceedge indicates on said scale the units of available space in the line;second indicator means including a second cover element located in asecond part of said window and being movable in a direction opposite tothe movement of said first indicator means for progressively uncoveringsaid second part so that its trailing edge moves away from referenceedge for representing by the uncovered portion of said second part ofsaid window between said trailing edge and said reference edge thespaceband drive of said selected space bands and the space which can befilled by justification whereby the distance between said leading edgeof said first cover element and the trailing edge of said second coverelement while moving toward each other is a measure of the space to befilled in the line by matrices and space bands, and whereby coincidenceof said leading and trailing edges and following movement of saidlea-ding edge into the region of said uncovered portion of said secondpart of said window between said trailing edge and said reference edgeindicates a justifiable line until said leading edge coincides with saidreference edge; and a stationary light-colored shield covering a portionof said second part of said window extending adjacent said first end ofsaid window so that a major part of said second cover element is coveredwhereby the visible length of said second cover element between saidtrailing edge and said shield is substantially shorter than the visiblelength of said first cover element between said first end of said windowand said leading edge thereof.

it. In a composing apparatus for a line casting machine, in combination,an indicator apparatus comprising, a stationary casing formed with anelongated window having first and second ends spaced at distancecorresponding to the length of a justified line of matrices and spacebands, said window having a narrow rectangular shape corresponding tothe shape of the space available for said justified line, said secondend forming a transverse edge; first drive means moving analog to thetotal of the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands successively selected during the composing of a line; afirst elongated cover element located in a first elongated rectangularpart of said window and being driven by said first drive means to movetoward said reference edge for progressively covering said first part sothat the cover portion of said first part of said Window between saidleading edge and said first end represents the minimum length of theassembled part of the line, and so that the uncovered portion of saidfirst part of said window between said leading edge and said referenceedge represents the space still available in the line, said firstrectangular part of said window and said covered portion representing aline being composed; a scale member having a scale indicatingtypographical units and visible only between said leading edges and saidreference edge in said uncovered portion in said first units and visibleonly between said leading edge and said part of said window so that thenumber of typographical units still available in the line is indicatedby said scale between said leading edge and said reference edge; seconddrive means moving analog to the total of the spaceband drive of saidselected spacebands; a second elongated cover element extending parallelto said first cover eiement and being located in a second elongated partof said window which extends parallel to said first part, said secondcover element being driven by said second drive means to move in adirection opposite to the movement of said first cover element forprogressively uncovering said second part of said window so that thelength of the uncovered portion of said second part of said windowbetween said trailing edge and said reference edge represents spacebanddrive of said selected space bands and the space which can be filled byjustification whereby the distance indicated by said scale between saidleading edge of said first cover element and the trailing edge of saidsecond cover element while the same move toward each other is a measureof the space still to be filled in the line by matrices and space bands,and whereby coincidence of said leading and trailing edges, andfollowing movement of said leading edge into the region of saiduncovered portion of said second part of said window indicates ajustifiable line.

9. An indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said firstcover element and said scale member are portions of a first endlessband, said portions of said endless band being visible through saidfirst part of said window; wherein said second cover element is a firstportion of a second endless band having a second adjacent portiondifferent in transparency or color from said first portion; wherein saidsecond part of said window is rectangular so that said first and secondportions of said second endless band are partially visible through saidsecond part of said window; wherein said first and second drive meansare electric motors; and including roller means supporting said endlessbands, and transmission means connecting, respecitvely, said motors withsaid roller means for driving said endless bands.

it An indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said endlessbands are photographic films, and wherein said cover elements are darkareas on said films, and wherein said scale is photographically appliedto said first endless band.

11. An indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein said scalemember is secured to said casing and has a scale numbered from saidreference edge toward said first cover element so that said leading edgeindicates the typographical units available in the line; wherein saidfirst and second cover elements are rectangular portions of flexibleelongated members; wherein both said first and second parts of saidwindow ars rectangular and adjacent so that said rectangular portionsare visible in said window together with said scale member; wherein saidfirst and second drive means are electric motors; and including springmeans for urging said flexible elongated members to move in oppositedirections and take-up means for winding up said flexible membersagainst the action of said spring means; and transmission meansconnecting, respectively, said motors with said take-up means fordriving said cover elements to move in said window.

12. An indicator apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein saidflexible elongated members include cords forming longitudinal edgesthereof; and including let-oft" means on which said cords are wound bysaid spring means when said motors are de-energized; and shielding meansin said window for covering a portion of said second cover elementsbetween said first end of said window and said trailing edge, and forcovering a portion of said Window between said first and second parts ofsaid window and those cords which are located in said window adjacenteach other.

13. In an apparatus for preparing a record to be used to control linecasting machines, in combination, an indicator apparatus comprising anelongated window, having one end forming a fixed transverse referenceedge; first drive means moving analog to the total of the matrixthicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of space bandssuccessively selected during the composing of a line to be cast; firstindicator means including a first cover element and a scale member, saidfirst indicator means being located in a first elongated part of saidwindow and being driven by said first drive means to move said scalemember past said reference edge so that only the portion of said scalemember which is visible through said first part of said window betweensaid first cover element and said reference edge represents the spacestill available for said line; second drive means moving analog to thetotal of the space band drive of said selected space bands; and secondindicator means including a second elongated cover element extendingparallel to said first cover element and being located in a secondelongated part of said window which extends parallel to said first part,said second indicator means being driven by said second drive means in adirection opposite to the movement of said first indicator means to movesaid second cover element so that the length of the uncovered portion ofsaid second part of said window between the trailing edge of said secondcover element and said reference edge represents the space band drive ofsaid selected space bands.

14. In an apparatus for preparing a record to be used to control linecasting machines, in combination, an indicator apparatus comprising anelongated narrow rectangular window, having one end forming a fixedtransverse reference edge; first drive means moving analog to the totalof the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of spacebands successively selected during the composing of a line to be cast;first endless indicator band means including a first cover element and ascale member, said first indicator band means being located in a firstelongated part of said window and being driven by said first drive meansto move said scale member past said reference edge so that only theportion of said scale member which is visible through said first part ofsaid window between said first cover element and said reference edgerepresents the space still available for said line; second drive meansmoving analog to the total of the 14 space hand drive of said selectedspace bands; and second endless indicator band means including a secondelongated cover element extending parallel to said first cover elementand being located in a second elongated part of said window whichextends parallel to said first part, said second indicator band beansbeing driven by said second drive means in a direction opposite to themovement of said first indicator means to move said second cover elementso that the length of the uncovered portion of said second part of saidwindow between the trailing edge of said second cover element and saidreference edge represents the space hand drive of said selected spacebands.

15. In an apparatus for preparing a record to be used to control linecasting machines, in combination, an indicator apparatus comprising anelongated window, having one end forming a fixed transverse referenceedge; first drive means moving analog to the total of the matrixthicknesses and the minimum Wedge thicknesses of space bandssuccessively selected during the composing of a line to be cast; firstindicator means including a first cover element and a scale member, saidfirst indicator means being located in a first elongated part of saidwindow and being driven by said first drive means to move said scalemember past said reference edge so that the portion of said scale memberwhich is visible through said first part of said window between saidfirst cover element and said reference edge represents the space stillavailable for said line; second drive means moving analog to the totalof the space band drive of said selected space bands; and secondindicator means including a second elongated cover element extendingparallel to said first cover element and being located in a secondelongated part of said window which extends parallel to said first part,said second indicator means being driven by said second drive means in adirection opposite to the movement of said first indicator means to movesaid second cover element so that the length of the uncovered portion ofsaid second part of said window between the trailing edge of said secondcover element and said reference edge represents the space band drive ofsaid selected space bands, said cover elements on one hand, and saidscale member and uncovered portion of said second part on the other handhaving contrasting colors.

16. In an apparatus for preparing a record to be used to control linecasting machines, in combination, an indicator apparatus comprising anelongated narrow rectangular window, having one end forming a fixedtransverse reference edge; first drive means moving analog to the totalof the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses of spacebands successively selected during the composing of a line to be cast;first endless indicator band means including a first cover element and ascale member, said first indicator band means being located in a firstelongated part of said window and being driven by said first drive meansto move said scale member past said reference edge so that only theportion of said scale member which is visible through said first part ofsaid window between said first cover element and said reference edgerepresents the space still available for said line, said scale memberhaving a scale progressively numbered with typographical units from saidcover element toward said reference edge; second drive means movinganalog to the total of the space hand drive of said selected spacebands; and second endless indicator band means including a secondelongated cover element extending parallel to said first cover elementand being located in a second elongated part of said window whichextends parallel to said first part, said second indicator band meansbeing driven by said second drive means in a direction opposite to themovement of said first indicator means to move said second cover elementso that the length of the uncovered portion of said second part of saidwindow between the trailing edge of said second cover element and saidreference edge represents the space band drive of said selected spacebands, said cover elements on one hand, and

l said scale member and uncovered portion of said second part on theother hand having contrasting colors.

17. In an apparatus for determining the number of typographical unitsused in a line casting machine for casting a line, in combination, anindicator apparatus comprising an elongated window, having one endforming a fixed transverse reference edge; totalizing means fortotalizing the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedge thicknesses ofspace bands of successively selected matrices and space bands; drivemeans moving analog to the total found by said totalizing means; anindicator means including a cover element and a scale member, saidindicator means being located in said window and being driven by saiddrive means to move said scale member past said reference edge so thatonly the portion of said scale member which is located in, and visiblethrough said window between said cover element and said reference edgerepresents the space still available for the line to be cast, and sothat the portion of said cover element located in, and visible throughsaid window represents the composed portion of the line.

18. In an apparatus for determining the number of typographical unitsused in a line casting machine for casting a line, in combination, anindicator apparatus comprising an elongated narrow rectangular window,having one end forming a fixed transverse reference edge; totalizingmeans for totalizing the matrix thicknesses and the minimum wedgethicknesses of space bands of successively selected matrices and spacebands; drive means moving analog to the total found by said totalizingmeans; and endless indicator band means including a cover element and ascale member, said indicator band means being located in said window andbeing driven by said drive means to move said scale member past saidreference edge so that only the portion of said scale member which islocated in, and visible through said window between said cover elementand said reference edge represents the space still available for theline to be cast, said scale member having a scale progressively numberedwith typographical units from said cover element toward said referenceedge, and so that the portion of said cover element located in, andvisible through said window represents the composed portion of the line.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,080,424 5/37Larson et al. 234-5 2,095,006 10/37 Paine 19951 X EUGENE R. CAPOZIO,Primary Examiner.

ROBERT E. PULFREY, Examiner.

1. IN A COMPOSING APPARATUS FOR A LINE CASTING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION,AN INDICATOR APPARATUS COMPRISING A STATIONARY MEMBER FORMED WITH ANELONGATED STRAIGHT WINDOW HAVING AT THE ENDS THEREOF FIRST AND SECONDREFERENCE EDGES, SAID REFERENCE EDGES BEING SPACED A DISTANCECORRESPONDING TO THE LENGTH OF A JUSTIFIED LINE OF MATRICES AND SPACEBANDS, SAID WINDOW HAVING A NARROW RECTANGULAR SHAPE CORRESPONDING TOTHE SHAPE OF THE SHAPE AVAILABLE FOR SAID JUSTIFIED LINE, MEANS FORTOTALIZING THE MATRIX THICKNESSES AND THE MINIMUM WEDGE THICKNESS OFSPACE BANDS SUCCESSIVELY SELECTED DURING THE COMPOSING OF A LINE; DRIVEMEANS MOVING ANALOG TO THE TOTAL FOUND BY SAID TOTALIZING MEANS; AND ACOVER ELEMENT DRIVEN BY SAID DRIVE MEANS ALONG SAID WINDOW IN THEREADING DIRECTION FROM THE FIRST REFRENCE EDGE TOWARD THE SECONDREFERENCE EDGE SO THAT SAID COVER ELEMENT PROGRESSIVELY COVERS SAIDWINDOW WHILE THE LENGTH OF THE COVERED PORTION OF THE WINDOW FROM SAIDFIRST REFERENCE EDGE TO THE LEADING EDGE OF SAID COVER ELEMENTREPRESENTS THE TOTAL OF THE MATRIX THICKNESSES AND THE MINIMUM WEDGETHICKNESSES OF SAID SPACE BANDS AND THEREBY THE MINIMUM LENGTH OF THECOMPOSED PORTION OF A LINE, WHILE THE LENGTH OF THE UNCOVERED PORTION OFSAID WINDOW BETWEEN SAID LEADING EDGE AND SAID SECOND REFERENCE EDGEREPRESENTS THE SPACE STILL AVAILABLE IN THE LINE FOR ADDITIONAL MATRICESAND SPACE BANDS, AND FOR JUSTIFICATION.